Does Huet Even Make Sense in Vancouver?

The article in question quoted ex-Chicago Blackhawk and Rollie Melansons pupil Cristobal Huet as saying he’s been in contact with the Canucks (as well as the Los Angeles Kings) regarding an NHL job this summer. If my French isn’t too rusty the exact quote is "je fais partie de la liste" (pretty straight forward translation: "I’m on their list") would suggest a level of consideration beyond the two sides simply keeping in touch.

When we last saw Cristobal Huet in the NHL, he was having a ghastly season with the 09-10 Chicago Blackhawks. After posting a sub .900 save percentage in 46 starts on a thoroughly dominant team, Huet lost the starters mantle to then rookie Antii Niemi. That team went on to win the Stanley Cup, and the following summer they loaned Huet (and his bloated contract) to HC Fribourg-Gottéron of the Swiss A-League (NLA).

In 7 NHL seasons, Huet was never a work-horse starter. He was above league average from 2005-2008, but the results from his final two NHL seasons are very inauspicious. Since leaving the NHL Huet has posted two solid seasons with a .919 save percentage in 39 games during the 2010-11 season and a .932 save percentage in 41 games in 2011-12 in the NLA. Those are solid numbers however, the Swiss-A League is one of the weaker national elite leagues in Europe. In fact, based on the league translation numbers, the quality of shooters Huet was facing over the past two seasons were slightly below the talent level one would find in the AHL.

Eddie Lack on the other hand, facing tougher shooters and getting into more games has posted a .924 and a .925 save percentage in the AHL over the past two seasons respectively. He’s also 24 and looks to be on the upswing of his development. Huet on the other hand, is at the age where goaltenders begin to fall off a cliff. Here’s an old graph Petbugs put together tracking goaltending performance by age [originally posted over at mapleleafsnation.com]:

As you can you see, Cristobal Huet is at an age (he’s thirty-seven) where goaltender performance tends to fall right off a cliff. Considering that Huet’s numbers were well below league average at ages 33 and 34, I don’t see him as a particularly good bet to provide the Canucks with solid goaltending in 2011-12 even in a limited backup role.

Which is okay, since Eddie Lack looks pretty damn ready and excelled against NHL shooters at the AHL level last season… Let’s take a step back and pretend that Eddie Lack isn’t quite clearly better than Cristobal Huet, because once Luongo is traded (if it ever happens) it will makes sense for the Canucks to acquire a "steady veteran backup" as a counter to Cory Schneider. The eloquent Schneider has never been a full-time NHL starter, and as good as he’s been his promotion isn’t without risk. Obviously having a proven goaler who can caddy for Schneider should he struggle for a stretch does strike me as useful.

But acquiring a veteran for the sake of acquiring a guy who is a veteran, is silly and misguided. That’s doubly true when you’ve got a a promising young goaltender in the pipeline, who probably deserves a crack at an NHL roster spot, like the Canucks have with Lack. From my vantage point, Huet looks significantly less likely than Eddie Lack to provide the Canucks with league average goaltending in 20 or so starts next season. So unless it’s on a PTO, I’d hope the Canucks pass on Huet.

8 Comments |

Thing with veteran backups is that they always seem to be available. Huet is probably plan C or plan D for the Canucks

Plan A is obviously to trade Luo, have Schneider continue what he has been doing, but in the starters role,and to get Lack some NHL games in order to improve his overall game.

If Schneider stumbles or Lack looks like he needs another AHL season (I doubt either of these are true) then it’s time to look for a veteran back.

Until Schneider and Lack prove they are *not* the goalies you thought they were, you have to assume they *are* the goalies you think they are. Give them the chance…but always be ready and prepared with a plan B.

Yeah, I mean, if we’re talking about bringing in a veteran like Theodore – I’m all for having Lack spend another year in the AHL. But if it’s a guy like Huet, you may as well let Lack play those backup minutes.

Even if it was someone like Theodore, Hedberg, or Vokoun, I would still start with Schneider and Lack.

Lack is ready for his chance, and the Canucks are one of the best teams at easing a player into the lineup.

If the Canucks do sign a veteran backup before the season starts, or specifically before Lack signs his next contract, I could see him going to the SEL as opposed to the AHL. Neither league offers Lack much opportunity to significantly further his development.

It sure is a gamble to have 2 unproven goalies start the season…but remember, the worst Gamble was Troy Gamble.

Huet would probably be an ideal #1/1A for the Wolves while Lack and Cannata are brought along at the NHL and AHL levels, respectively. If there is an injury to Schneider at any point, I’d feel a lot more comfortable throwing Huet into the fire, because at least if he sucks it’s preferable to torching Lack’s confidence. Think about Schneider’s play in his first couple of call-ups, and consider how sideways things could have gone if he had been forced to start 30 games.

No arguments Huet would be a #1/1A for the Wolves…but I sincerely doubt he is looking for an AHL contract.

Lack should be eased into the NHL much like Schneider was a few years ago…it worked for Schneider, so why not try the same approach with Lack?

You mentioned injuries, and that is the largest gamble starting the season with Schneider and Lack. If worst came to worst, and Schneider went down long term with an injury, the Canucks could very well be boned. If that were to happen, then the team should look at guys like Ellis or Turco. Veterans that are good enough to get you through a rough patch, but guys you wouldn’t want to actually depend on the entire season.